Collisons on road

Junior’s parents have driven to most games

FORT DODGE, IOWA  The Collisons spend a lot of time on the road in order to watch son Nick play his junior year with Kansas, the nation's top-ranked college basketball team.

"But it's well worth it and we're having a ball," said David Collison, athletic director at Iowa Falls High. Wife Judy teaches at nearby Alden.

Collison has missed only five of his son's games (Arizona, Princeton, UCLA, Oklahoma State and Kansas State) this season. Except for the games they saw in Maui, he and Judy have driven to all of them.

Younger son, Michael, 11, has accompanied them to most of the games. Their married daughter has attended a few games.

"We can't afford to fly, and we want to see Nick in as many games as possible," Collison said.

Driving to games in Texas is a challenge because it means 15 to 16 hours on the road.

"We've teamed up with parents of other players on some trips and stayed overnight with them on occasion," Collison said.

After coaching Nick and his teammates at Iowa Falls to two Class 2A state championships, Collison gave up coaching so he could follow his son's college career.

"The schools have been very good about allowing us to leave a bit early to make some of the trips," he said. "Midweek games are always harder to get to, and it's meant driving through the night sometimes.

"Typically, we'll watch the game, visit briefly with Nick and then head for home."

Nick and fellow juniors Drew Gooden and Kirk Hinrich could declare for the NBA Draft after this season but, says Collison, "I think they'll be back for their senior year."

Is there another Collison due for stardom?

"Well, Michael is on the fifth grade team at Iowa Falls and it appears he, too, will be tall," Collison said.